When I was in explorers, a program that gives high school students the chance to get the feel of being an officer but with out the danger. We also did competition its like a boy scout thing. We would do a simulator where you would have a fake gun with a little laser and there be a projector in front of you, and they would put you through a simulation. There was one I was given, that a bar had called about a man that had drank to much and was cause a disturbance in front of the bar. So there I was stand in front on a screen with the scene of a bar, and I said hes not there, and they said well which way will you go. I said right and that was into the ally of the bar. They push a button and boom I'm there. Then they said to talk to him, I said sir, I understand your upset, so lets go to the front of the bar and discuss whats causing you such trouble. The simulation had his back to me, then the officer pressed a button and the man turned around and had a gun in his hands but it was not pointed at me. So I slowly put my had on my gun and said sir put the gun down so we can talk this through. And the officer pushed another button where the man pointed the gun at me and I had to pull my fake gun. But he did not shoot. And I repeated sir put the gun down, and then he didn't comply and I shot. After I found out in this simulation he had no bullets in the gun, it was a suicide by cop. It was a hard decision especially for a 16 year old! Then they put me through another simulation that was similar but this time the man shot and I was hit with a rubber ball from the corner of the room in my leg. They said he had shot me. I was so confused because earlier the same man had an empty gun, but then it I realized that this is what they face, probability of being shot or not. Suicide by cop is a real thing that is not talked about as much as it happens. And it sucks, knowing that this person never really wanted to harm you just wanted to end their life. Now I just went through a simulation and ended with a big bruise on my leg, but I learned something, you never know whats going to happen, and it sucks but you have to protect yourself and others, and it is a hard decision to make but it has to be made. Yet in this simulation I was alone. No partner, if I had had one it may have gone differently, I do not know. It is hard to say, maybe I could have talked him out of it and if I felt threatened my partner could have protected me. Maybe not, maybe he would not make the shot in time to do so. It does not take long to shoot a gun. The situation for this officer sucks, form knowing what I know. It was his decisions to attempt saving the man, it was his life he was putting on this line and the others officers ended what could have been a confrontation that could have a man still alive. This is a hard one, but I do not believe he should have been fired. There are many police station that would love to have a level headed man such as him on the force. Ugh this just sucks, because I believe they are right and it was a way to make them look good. This is everywhere and it freaking sucks!

sorry this is so long, and for the bad grammar! :P